Paws and Claus
Photos by Carol Porter
On November 20, 2022, friends of Awesome Greyhound Adoptions and Hounds & Heroes came together to take a pet photo with Santa and support those good causes at the Palm Beach Kennel Club. Find out more: https://www.awesomegreyhoundadoptions.org/ and https://www.awesomegreyhoundadoptions.org/hounds-and-heroes
WELLINGTON STIFFS STICKBALL LEAGUE LAUNCHES 21st SEASON
By Mike May
The 2022-23 stickball season in Wellington is now underway. On Tuesday, December 6, the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League conducted its two Opening Day games at Village Park off Pierson Road in Wellington.
This is the 21st year of play for the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League. In attendance to throw out the first pitch of the new season was Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig.
There are four teams in the league this year. They are the Brooklyn Bums, Bronx Clippers, Atlantic Whalers, and the Hoboken Zephyrs. In addition to the 10-game regular season, the league will conduct its annual hall of fame induction ceremony on February 7. The Old Timers Ceremony and Exhibition Game will be held on February 14. The league’s playoff games will be played on March 21, with the league championship game scheduled for March 28. The annual end-of-season All-Star Game will conclude the season on April 11.
In the two Opening Day game, the Brooklyn Bums defeated the Bronx Clippers, 8-2. Brooklyn was led by Sean Siegrist who hit the first home run of the season and had six great catches on defense. Teammate Mike Lipsky went 3-for-4, all doubles. In the other game, the Atlantic Whalers outscored the Hoboken Zephrs, 10-2. In this game, the Whalers slugged 12 doubles.
The league will have games on December 13 and December 20. After the holiday break, regular season games will resume on Tuesday, January 10 and continue every Tuesday, with the exception of February 21, until Tuesday, March 14. All games are held at Village Park in Wellington. Most regular season games are held at 1:00 pm and 2:45 pm, with the exception of February 7 and 14. Those games are scheduled for 12:00 pm and 2:15 pm.
For more information about the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League, contact Harry Klaff at: hsklaff@gmail.com or see the video about their stickball league.
Palm Health Foundation to Double Up to $150,000 in Donor Gifts for Nursing Scholarships
Foundation seeking donors to support low-income and first-generation
students striving to pursue nursing careers as shortages grow.
West Palm Beach, Fla. – Palm Health Foundation announced today that it will match donations to its Nursing Advancement Fund dollar for dollar between November 29, 2022, and January 31, 2023, up to $150,000 in total. The match program is open to anyone who donates between $100 and $5,000 to support the aspirations of low-income and first-generation nursing students in LPN, undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs in Palm Beach County. The campaign follows the foundation’s recent success raising and matching over $100,000 in gifts for behavioral health professions scholarships.
Palm Health Foundation’s scholarships come at a time when the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida is predicting a catastrophic nursing shortage in the state by 2035. The foundation’s scholarships address several needs for growing and diversifying the workforce pipeline, including increasing faculty and graduating health professionals with cultural competencies.
Many Palm Health Foundation scholars’ lived experiences inspire them to pursue nursing careers. When Dalissa Suprina learned she had received a Debra Coffman Howe Nursing Scholarship, a donor advised fund at Palm Health Foundation, she burst into tears. After losing her mother in the 2010 earthquake that impacted Haiti, Suprina became a caregiver to her grandmother at age 12 and discovered her life’s purpose was to become a nurse. The scholarship she received will support her career goal to become a wound care nurse and nurse practitioner working with the elderly. Recognizing the generosity of Coffman Howe, Suprina said, “you have to have a big heart to do this for other people and allow students like me to have opportunity. Her scholarship saved me. It was a miracle.”
Since 2001, the foundation has granted more than $3 million in miracles in the form of nursing scholarships to over 1,000 nursing students for advanced education. Palm Health Foundation scholarships are made possible by the generosity of donors, many of whom have established donor advised funds, such as Debra Coffman Howe, and through donations to the The Nursing Advancement Fund.
To maximize support for local nursing students, and have your gift doubled by Palm Health Foundation, please visit palmhealthfoundation.org/the-nursing-advancement-fund or contact Carrie Browne, Director of Stewardship & Strategic Partnerships, carrieb@phfpbc.org, 561-837-2281. Donors may also create their own uniquely named scholarship fundto transform the lives of deserving students through the gift of higher education.
About Palm Health Foundation
Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $89 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.
Holiday Food Distribution Thanks to Sponsors
The 2022 Wellington Hometown Holiday Food Distribution was made possible thanks to the generous contributions of local sponsors.
- Wellington Regional Hospital donated 100 turkeys.
- The Mall at Wellington Green and Humana each donated $1,000 towards the purchase of additional non-perishables.
- Feeding South Florida donated fresh produce including corn, oranges, peppers, and eggplant.
- Professional Concessions, Inc. graciously donated a refrigerated trailer to store the turkeys two days prior to the food distribution.
Thanks to these important partnerships with local Community Partners, the Village was able to register 250 residents for the distribution that included a 10lb+ turkey, a bag of Thanksgiving-appropriate food items, and a bag of fresh produce.
Any food items not picked up at the food distribution on Wednesday evening were delivered to families in need identified through the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Wellington’s Community Services Department, as well as the Wellington Boys and Girls Club. The Crowned Pearls of Wellington took the remaining non-perishable bags to be delivered to those affected by Hurricane Ian in Ft. Myers.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
CULTURE & COCKTAILS at The Ben to Focus on Palm Beach Style, January 9
(Lake Worth Beach, FL – November 29, 2022) Dave Lawrence, President & CEO of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, today reminded chat fans about the first CULTURE & COCKTAILS in 2023, and the second of four in the 18th season of this popular series. The informative and fun conversation will again be held in the beautiful rooftop ballroom of The Ben in downtown West Palm.
Monday, January 9
PALM BEACH STYLE:
Today & Tomorrow
A Buzzy Conversation with
+ Bonnie Roseman, fashion stylist and designer who began her career selling art before shifting to “art to wear” collections from designers all over the world. Featured in People Magazine and on NBC’s The Today Show, she went on to design collections for the Home Shopping Network before opening her own retail boutique off Worth Avenue, and now hosts the weekly Bonnie’s Buzz About Town on Legend Radio 100.3 FM.
+ Steven Stolman, designer, author and “observer of all things stylish” spent many years as a “worker bee’ on Seventh Avenue before launching his own collection of resort wear sold in tony towns like Southampton, Palm Beach and Beverly Hills. He later served as president of Scalamandré, the renowned textiles house, where he wrote his first book,Scalamandré: Haute Décor. More books followed including the popular Confessions of a Serial Entertainer and, most recently, Bill Cunningham Was There, co-authored John Kurdewan, the photojournalist’s longtime partner at The New York Times. Stolman currently consults on matters of design, product development, and marketing for a host of designers and manufacturers.
+ Annette Tapert, author of The Power of Style and The Power of Glamour has published 12 books from a collaboration with style icon Slim Keith to books on celebrity, society, fashion, style, decorating and entertaining. Her picture and textbook The Power of Style profiled 14 icons including Coco Chanel, The Duchess of Windsor, CZ Guest, Jacqueline Onassis and Babe Paley.
Moderator: Pamela Fiori, author of In the Spirit of Palm Beach and former editor-in-chief of Town & Country
The Ben is located at 251 N. Narcissus Avenue in West Palm Beach. Free valet parking will be provided for each of theCULTURE & COCKTAILS conversations, running from 5 to 7 pm.
Note: Admission to each of this season’s CULTURE & COCKTAILS At The Ben is $110 per person, $150 for VIP Seating, and FREE for Supporter, Contributor, Patron and Business Arts Partner level members of the Cultural Council. RSVP to Debbie Calabria at 561.472.3330 (or visit www.palmbeachculture.com/cocktails).
The 2022-2023 season of CULTURE & COCKTAILS is generously sponsored by The Roe Green Foundation, Roe Green, Founder; Donald M. Ephraim Family Foundation; Milton and Tamar Maltz; Jean Sharf; Scott Teich, Senior Vice President, Teich Wealth Management of Raymond James; The Gardens Mall; Bonnie Lautenberg; Palm Beach Media Group; Palm Beach Daily News; Legends Radio; and PR-BS, a Boca-based public relations firm. Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.
Please Note:
All proceeds from CULTURE & COCKTAILS go to support the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County’s mission to champion, engage, and grow the arts in Palm Beach County. For membership information, please contact Debbie Calabria at 561.472.3330.
Also:
Topics and speakers are subject to change depending upon the availability of scheduled participants.
About the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is the official support agency for arts and culture in The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Cultural Capital®. Headquartered in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. building in Downtown Lake Worth Beach, the Council presents exciting year-round exhibitions and performances featuring artists who live or work in Palm Beach County. The Council features spectacular work by local artisans in its Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store, offers complimentary resources for visitors in its Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center and hosts frequent events in its outdoor Project Space, offering views of the building’s iconic Martin Luther King Jr. mural by renowned Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. The council is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and a comprehensive calendar of cultural events in The Palm Beaches, visit palmbeachculture.com.
The Arc Hosts Exhibit From World-Renowned Artists With Disabilities
Debuting at The Square from December 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023
Riviera Beach, Fla. (November 29, 2022) – The Arc of Palm Beach County invites you to immerse yourself in the unknown and often overlooked experience of disability. The exhibition, Their Own Truths: The Art of Sky Cubacub, Riva Lehrer, Jeffrey Mansfield, and David Richards, encompasses recent work by four innovative artists who have disabilities. The collection of paintings, garments, sculptures, and photographs seeks to change perceptions and to open minds.
Their Own Truths will be on display in the ArtWorks gallery at The Square, 600 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 156, West Palm Beach, Florida. It is free and open to the public from December 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023. On December 4, a private opening reception will be held in collaboration with New Wave Art Wknd, and a series of lectures and programs will also accompany the exhibition.
“Aesthetic joy is central to each artist’s practice, yet their work challenges the viewer to recognize that societal perceptions of disability are far from its actual, lived experiences,” said Rena Blades, curator of the exhibition and president at Delos Consulting.
The Arc of Palm Beach County, through ArtWorks and its other art programs, helps convey the stories, accomplishments, and experiences of people with disabilities. Their Own Truths encourages the community to think differently, and to discover the true meaning of inclusion, acceptance, and diversity.
“This immersive, thought-provoking exhibit hopes to bring people together to explore and celebrate the disability community’s impact on our world,” said Kimberly McCarten, president and CEO of The Arc of Palm Beach County. “We want to connect and inspire artists of all abilities in our community and beyond. The Arc is fostering a society that upholds human flourishing and acceptance of all.”
Their Own Truths engages the broader conversation around contemporary art, while the artists’ insights provide viewers with opportunities to consider, examine, and critique deeply rooted points of view. The artists include:
Sky Cubacub
Sky Cubacub designs artistic garments that are fanciful, colorful, and custom-fitted for bodies of all shapes and sizes. Cubacub was inspired to create clothing that references and reflects on their nonbinary gender and disabilities: debilitating anxiety and an undiagnosed stomach disorder.
Cubacub has received several important honors, including the 2019/2020 Kennedy Center Citizen Artist, the 2021 Disability Futures Fellowship from the Ford Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, and the Chicagoan of the Year in 2018.
Riva Lehrer
Riva Lehrer was born with spina bifida and has spent a lot of time in hospitals; both experiences inform her work. She paints intimate and provocative portraits that focus on individuals with a visible disability. Lehrer is also a well-known activist for disability culture, and a teacher, writer, and speaker.
Lehrer is a current Disability Futures Fellow from the Ford Foundation and the Mellon Foundation, and her work has been widely exhibited, including at the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian, Yale University, the United Nations, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Jeffrey Mansfield
Jeffrey Mansfield was born deaf and his early childhood experiences, like attending a school for the deaf, informed his opinions about art, architecture, and their influence on our lives. His work explores how spaces profoundly impact our experience. Mansfield also researches the formation of deaf and disability spaces as expressions of cultural resistance.
Mansfield is a Graham Foundation grantee, a recipient of the Ford Foundation and the Mellon Foundation’s Disability Futures fellowship, and a John W. Kluge Fellow at the Library of Congress. His work has been presented at MoMA PS1, Bergen Assembly, Sao Paulo Biennale, and the Sharjah Biennial.
David Richards
David Richards’ work combines painted wall sculpture with collage and drawn elements. His art fuses organic, mechanical, and geometric forms, inviting viewers to make their own interpretations. Richards was born with physical disabilities affecting his spine, hips, legs, and feet.
Richards received the Illinois Arts Council Individual Artist Grant, the 3Arts Make a Wave Grant, a City of Chicago Percent for the Arts Program purchase award for the Logan Square Public Library, and the Anna Louise Raymond Fellowship. His work has been widely exhibited, including at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Illinois State Museum, the International Museum of Surgical Science, and the Kaoshiung Museum of Fine Arts in Taiwan.
Their Own Truths is curated by Rena Blades and sponsored in part by Related Companies. To learn more about the exhibit, please visit arcpbc.org/events.
About The Arc of Palm Beach County
The Arc is changing the conversation around disabilities by defying definitions, inspiring possibilities, and improving the lives of the people we serve, their families, and our community. Since 1958, The Arc has envisioned a community where every person feels welcome, connected, and accepted.
About Related Southeast
Headquartered in the heart of rapidly expanding Downtown West Palm Beach, Related Southeast is Related Companies’ locally based, global real estate and lifestyle company that has redeveloped Downtown West Palm Beach into one of the nation’s fastest-growing commercial, retail, culinary, art, and tourism destinations. Related Southeast leads the market in Class A office space with 360 Rosemary, CityPlace Tower, Esperanté, Phillips Point, and the forthcoming 1 Flagler, as well as the celebrated destinations of The Square, Hilton West Palm Beach, RH West Palm, and the historic Harriett Himmel Theater. The dynamic neighborhood built for all to enjoy has recently undergone a $700 million transformation designed to foster culture and enrich the community with lush green spaces; a diverse mix of experiential retail and culinary offerings; the largest concentration of public art installed by a private company in Palm Beach County, featuring renowned artists such as Yinka Shonibare, CBE, and Jeppe Hein; and rich cultural and educational programming and modern luxury residences. For more information about Related Southeast, please visit relatedsoutheast.com.
DECEMBER HAPPENINGS: Karesansui Raking Demonstration, Art of Japanese Gift Presentation, and New Year’s Cards at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
December workshops, classes, and demonstrations:
Thursdays, December 1, 8, 15
Sumi-e Ink Painting (Floral Beginner) (Class)
Time: Floral – 10:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $52.50 (Morikami Members $48.75)
Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black
ink, the name literally means “charcoal drawing” in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink
stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e
brushstrokes. Floral and landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving
on to the main subject.
Fridays, December 2, 9, 16
Sumi-e Ink Painting (Class)
Time: Floral – 10:30am – 12:30pm
Landscape – 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Cost: $52.50 (Morikami Members $48.75)
Sumi-e is a form of Japanese ink painting brought from China in the 12th century. Primarily done in black
ink, the name literally means “charcoal drawing” in Japanese. Students grind their own ink using an ink
stick and a grinding stone and learn to hold and utilize brushes to create the primary sumi-e
brushstrokes. Floral and landscape classes will start with a review of the basic techniques before moving
on to the main subject.
Saturday, December 3
The Art of Kokedama (Workshop)
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm or 2:00pm – 4:30pm
Cost: $60
Kokedama is the Japanese art of growing plants in a moss-covered ball of soil. It is wrapped with string
and contains an ornamental plant growing inside. These beautiful and decorative plants, brings an
organic and natural touch to planting orchids, succulents, and other ornamental plants. Learn the
mechanics of how to make kokedama, creating two regular size and one small one to decorate your home
or to give away to a special person.
Saturday, December 3
Family Fun: Mizuhiki
Time: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Cost: FREE for members or with paid museum admission.
Use the magic of mizuhiki, washi paper cords, to bring the symbol of togetherness to your next gift.
Sundays, December 4, 18
Sado: Tea Ceremony (Intermediate) (Class)
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55)
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional
Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House
under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and
from season to season. Intermediate course requires approval by the instructor before registering.
Sundays, December 4, 18 or Thursdays, December 8, 15
Sado: Tea Ceremony (Beginners) (Class)
Time: 10:15am -12:15am
Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $55)
Expand upon your knowledge of Japanese tea ceremony in this hands-on class. Perform traditional
Japanese tea ceremony, with its ever-evolving seasonal subtleties, in the authentic Seishin-an Tea House
under the guidance of instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and
from season to season.
Tuesdays, December 6, 13, 20
Ikebana Flower Arrangement- Ikenobo School (Class)
Time: Beginners – 11am – 1pm
Intermediate – 1pm – 3pm*
Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $52.50)
*Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience or have taken at least three sessions of
Ikebana classes.
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has various
schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. Dating back to the 15th century, the
Ikenobo School is the oldest and most traditional. Students in this course learn the basic principles and
style of Ikenobo, creating fresh flower arrangements each week to take home and enjoy.
Wednesdays, December 7, 14, 21
Ikebana Flower Arrangement: Sogetsu School (Class)
Time: Beginners – 10:00am –12:00pm
Intermediate – 1:30pm – 3:30pm*
Cost: $60 (Morikami Members $52.50)
Flower arranging, ikebana, is a traditional Japanese art form spanning centuries. Ikebana has different
schools of study, each with unique philosophies and aesthetics. The Sogetsu School is a contemporary
school which focuses on creativity and individuality. Students will learn the basics of Sogetsu and create
pieces each week to take home and enjoy. *Intermediate courses are for students with prior experience.
Friday, December 15
Karesansui: Raking Demonstration
Time: 10:30am
Cost: FREE with paid museum admission.
Karesansui, or dry landscape garden, is founded on Zen ideology using carefully composed rock
arrangements and gravel or sand. Karesansui is carefully raked to represent characteristics of water
such as currents and waves while boulder arrangements may be interpreted as islands. Learn about our
Late Rock Garden and observe how the raking can be a practice in mindfulness and meditation.
Saturday, December 10
The Art of Japanese Gift Presentation (Workshop)
Time: 10:30am – 12pm or 1:30pm – 3pm
Cost: $35
Learn the customs and art of Japanese gift presentation in this hands-on workshop. Combining traditions
with contemporary aesthetics, participants are introduced to the beauty of Japanese packaging and
design, often incorporating natural and unconventional materials. Learn to wrap with washi (Japanese
traditional handmade paper), create uniquely designed boxes, and other techniques to give your gift an
Asian-inspired elegance. Workshop tools and materials will be provided for the participants to use.
Saturday, December 10
Sado: The Way of Tea (Demonstration)
Time: 12pm, 1:30pm or 3pm
Cost: $5 with paid museum admission.
Observe Japanese sadō, an ever-changing demonstration rich in seasonal subtleties. Your involvement in
the true spirit of sadō — harmony (wa), reverence (kei), purity (sei), tranquility (jaku) — along with a sip
of matcha green tea and a sweet will help you bring a calm perspective into your busy life.
Sunday, December 11
Film Screening: Belle
Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises
(122min., 2021, Rated PG, Animation)
Time: 11am (Dubbed in English) and 2pm (in Japanese, subtitled in English)
Cost: $5 with paid museum admission (FREE for members as part of Member Appreciation Weekend.
Children ages 3 and under free, limited tickets available)
From the celebrated Academy Award-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu, creators of
Mirai, Wolf Children, and Summer Wars, comes a fantastical, heartfelt story of growing up in the age of
social media. Suzu is a shy, everyday high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only
been a shadow of herself. But when she enters the “U,” a massive virtual world, she escapes into her
online persona as Belle, a gorgeous and globally beloved singer. One day, her concert is interrupted by a
monstrous creature chased by vigilantes. As their hunt escalates, Suzu embarks on a quest to uncover the
identity of this mysterious “beast” and to discover her true self in a world where you can be anyone.
Saturday, December 17 – Friday, December 30
Family Fun: Nengajō: New Year’s Cards
Time: 10am- 5pm
Cost: FREE for members or with paid museum admission.
Join us throughout the holiday season to create Japanese New Year’s cards, or nengajō, to present to
family and friends.
Current Exhibit:
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper
Through April 2, 2023
Washi Transformed: New Expressions in Japanese Paper presents over 30 highly textured two-dimensional
works, expressive sculptures, and dramatic installations that explore the astonishing potential
of this traditional medium. In this exhibition, nine Japanese artists embrace the seemingly infinite
possibilities of washi (Japanese paper), underscoring the unique stature this ancient art form has earned
in the realm of international contemporary art. For more than one thousand years, Japan has produced
some of the world’s finest paper. The breathtaking creativity of these artistic visionaries deepens our
understanding of how the past informs the present, and how it can build lasting cultural bridges out of
something as seemingly simple and ephemeral as paper. Washi Transformed features work by nine
contemporary Japanese artists: Aoyama Hina, Horiki Eriko, Ibe Kyoko, Ikezaki Yoshio, Ishii Kakuko,
Kimura Yuko, Nishimura Yuko, Tanaka Takaaki, and Yoshida Ayomi.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach.
For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.
About Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens has been a center for Japanese art and culture in South Florida
since opening in 1977. Morikami invites guests to discover its South Florida’s history, connection with
Japan, and explore a series of six diverse gardens, each inspired by a different historical period and style
of Japanese gardening. Visitors experience traditional and contemporary Japanese culture through
engaging exhibits, varied educational programs and seasonal events, a world-class bonsai display, Pan-
Asian cuisine, and a distinctive museum store. The Morikami Museum is fully accredited by the
American Alliance of Museums.
Farm City Luncheon
Photos by Carol Porter
On Nov. 16, 2022, the Central PBC Chamber of Commerce presented the annual Farm City Luncheon at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Holiday Gift Ideas
Tis the season to shop! If you’re looking for unique gift ideas for travelers and adventure seekers on your list, boy do I have some ideas for you! From experiences to packing gear to mementos to trigger memories of past adventures, here are my suggestions.
Matador Refillable Toothpaste Tubes
An ideal stocking stuffer, the Matador Refillable Toothpaste Tubes reduce toothpaste waste one refillable tube at a time. These TSA-approved dishwasher-safe tubes are BPA-free and PVC-free. The kit comes with two clearly labeled sizes – a one-week tube and a two-week tube – to ensure users never have to worry about bringing too much or not enough toothpaste. A wide mouth opening allows for easy refilling and a standard screw top end keeps contents securely inside.
A removable sliding clip securely seals the refilling end to prevent leaks, and a three-layer ethylene vinyl alcohol polymer (EVOH) vapor barrier prevents contents from drying out. An ideal way to reduce unnecessary waste while keeping your pearly whites clean on the road. matadorup.com/products/refillable-toothpaste-tubes
VSSL Insulated Flask
Billed as the world’s first flask with an integrated Bluetooth speaker, the VSSL Insulated Flask is a drinking vessel designed to help adventurers slow down and savor the moment while listing to their favorite tunes on the integrated Bluetooth speaker. An ideal gift for hikers, campers and anyone who likes to celebrate with a favorite beverage and tunes. www.vsslgear.com/products/vssl-insulated-flask-speaker
Wanderfull Hydro Bags
Anyone who spends hours sightseeing in a new city, hiking a new trail, attending a festival, or just taking the dog for a walk knows the importance of staying hydrated. But, let’s face it, carrying your water bottle means giving up the use of one of your hands. I’m happy to report, this problem has been solved by the original WanderFull HydroBag! These adorably designed cross-body bags have a built-in section for your water bottle along with a section that keeps your cell phone, keys, credit cards and cash organized. And, they come in an array of colors. You probably need to get this for all the walkers, travelers and dog owners on your holiday gift list – and don’t forget to buy one for yourself! www.wanderfullbrand.com/collections/hydrobags
Wildlife Adoptions
If you have an animal lover on your gift list, consider gifting a symbolic adoption of wildlife through World Wildlife Fund. After traveling to Custer State Park this summer with my 12-year-old grandson, I chose to adopt a bison in his name to honor our memories of being surrounded by these magnificent beasts as we drove along the Wildlife Loop. The gift includes a plush stuffed animal, a photo and an adoption certificate. www.gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/species-adoptions.aspx
Holiday Lights & Movie Sites Tour
Anyone on your list heading to New York City to celebrate the holidays? Treat them to a special experience on the Holiday Lights & Movie Sites Tour with On Location Tours. See the places featured in several favorite holiday movies including The Elf, Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone 2. On this tour, you’ll travel warm and cozy on a bus from the Upper West Side to the Upper East Side and into Midtown. Highlights in include a peek into the brilliant holiday windows at Bloomingdales, Bergdorf Goodman, and Macy’s. Catch a glimpse of the famed tree in Rockefeller Center, featured in Home Alone 2. And see the apartment building featured in Elf along with other recognizable sites. Can’t make it during the holiday season? Give the gift of an On Location Tour year-round with other non-holiday tours including Sex & The City sites, Soprano sites and more. www.onlocationtours.com/new-york-tv-and-movie-tours/holiday/
